Photographic-printing machine.



E. E. WOOD.

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED mac. 3. 1914.

1,142,653. Patented June 8, 1915.

3 sums-shear l.

' 2%? 16' J 1.5 57 Z% ,1. 7 7 I 7 if 46* Z9 x a 2O L LU 27 LL 9 w 2. a g 4 $3297 Z7 55 1:0 r 1. J7 /4 J5 I 9 5/ z w 7 \N f l '2 150 6'0 7 @lfl I Z/ I a; 5 J4 WITNESSES INVENTOR (211W Emu. 359W fima d.

' WKTTORNEYQSZ THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTGLITHO., WASHINGTON. D. c

E. E. WOOD.

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLlCATlON FILED DEC.3, 1914.

1,142,653. Patented June 8-, 1915.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

' WITNESSES 1HE NORRIS PETERECQ, PHOTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON, D. c.

E, E. WOOD.

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.3. I914.

Patented June 8, 1915.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTO-LITHO., WASHINGTON, D4 C.

ELMER E. WOOD, OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

PHOTOGRAPHIC-PRIN TIN Gr MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 8, 1915.

Application filed December 3, 1914. Serial No. 875,314.

graphic printing machines, and consists more particularly in an improved photographic machine' of the type embodying a frame in which is supported a lamp box provided with a photographic opening therein and a platen for cooperating with the lamp box to clamp the negative and sensitized paper in close contact over the photographic opening during the printing operation.

It is an object of the present invention to .ative to register with the photographic opening'and for holding same in proper position after the adjustment has been "effected.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved photographic printing machine which will be adapted for operation upon negatives of varying sizes,

and to provide interchangeable means that be conveniently and quickly removed and replaced as required.

The present invention contemplates the embodiment of the foregoing objects in a machine which will be simple in construc tion and of convenient and efficient operation to effect photographic printing with a saving of time and expense greater than has been heretofore accomplished.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel details of construction and combinations of parts more fully hereinafter disclosed and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application, and in which similar reference symbols indicate corresponding parts in the several views, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a photographic printing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical cen tral sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the machine. Fig. l is a top plan view of the lamp box, illustrating a diagram of the circuits for the lamps, preferably adopted in connection with the present invention. Fig. 5 is an enlarged top plan View of the photographic casing. Fig; 6 is a topplan view of the negative retaining clamp. Fig. 7 is an edge view of the same; and Fig. 8 is a sectional View of the same.

Referring more particularly to the drawplurality of spaced walls 39, projecting alternately from the opposite longitudinal walls of the same, to provide a zigzag or tortuous passage from the atmosphere to the interior of the lamp box for purposes of ventilation, and at the same time to exclude light. 1 Above the opening 50 in the table 2 is mounted a casing 1, provided with a forwardly inclining topt constructed with a rabbeted opening 7, for receiving a glass pane 8 and an opaque mask plate 9, formed with a rectangular or other opening 10 therein of a size corresponding to the size of the negative from which theprint is to be made.

It will be understood that a series of mask plates 9, having openings of different sizes, are employed in conjunction'with the machine, and the plates are to be selected and fitted to the machine in accordance with the size work to be done. To this end the mask plates 9 may be individually removable from the opening 7 in the top of the casing 1, or the same may be united to glass panes 8 and removed together and replaced by a pane and mask plate of proper dimensioned opening.

For assisting to position the negative in registry with the opening 10 in the mask plate 9, a guide block 11 is secured along the lower edge of the top of the casing 4, and, as illustrated to advantage in Fig. 5, the upper longitudinal edge of the guide block 11 coincides with the adjacent edge of the opening 7 in the top of the casing 1.

The guide block 11 is mortised, as indicated at 13 in Fig. l, to accommodate a clamp 5 hinged to the casing 1, as indicated at 12. This clamp 5 is recessed, as shown at 51 in Figs. 7 and 8, to provide a channel for the passage of. the roll film 52. The clamp 5 is secured in closed position by a catch 14, or other suitable device.

As disclosed more particularly in Figs. 6 and 7, the clamp 5 is provided with a plate 53 constructed with tip-struck ears 54, in which is journaled a pintle for supporting a clip 40 by means of downwardly depending cars 56. The clip 40 is shaped to provide an elongated edge 44 normally acted upon by a coiled spring 42, to engage the negative and hold the same in position after positioning, over the opening in the mask plate 9. The clip 40 may be raised by depressing the finger-hold 43, as will be understood, and the negative released, or to permit a roll film 52 to be drawn forward to expose the next successive negative.

Coiiperating with the casing 1, to hold the negative and sensitized paper in close contact during the printing operation, is a platen, more particularly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to consist of a back plate 22, to which is movably connected the negative-engaging plate or platen proper 6, through screws or other suitable means 23; and the platen 6 is normally held distended by springs 24 interposed between the same and the back plate 22.

The back plate 22 of the platen is connected to a pair of curved diverging arms 16, pivotally mounted on a pintle 15 journaled in brackets secured to the table 2, as illustrated. The arms 16 are, through the connection 18, coupled with a link 17, joined at its lower end by a connection 20 to a treadle 19 hinged, as indicated at 25, to a cross piece 26 secured between the rear table legs 3. Connected between the link 17 and the table 2 is a pair of coiled springs 21 for graphic lamps 35 when the platen descends into engagement with the negative and sensitized paper. Such switch mechanism, in accordance with the invention, is further arranged to close the circuit through the nonactinic lamp 36 when the platen is raised, in order that the outline of the opening 10 in the mask plate 9 may be readily discernible for positioning the negative over the same in proper registry. To this end the leadingin-wires 37, as more particularly illustrated in the diagram in Fig. 4, are arranged to connect the photographic lamps 35 and the non-actinic lamp 36 in separate circuits having their terminals in three contacts 29, 31 and 32.

As illustrated to advantage in Fig. 2, the contacts 31 and 32 are preferably stationary, and mounted in a switch box supported in the table 2. The contact 29 is constituted by a switch lever pivoted at 30 in the box 60, and arranged to be moved to engage either of the contacts 31 and 32 to close circuit through either the non-actinic lamp 36 or the photographic lamps 35, respectively. To the switch lever 29 is connected an operating rod 28, normally acted upon by a spring 33 to maintain the lever in engagement with the contact 31. The operating rod 28 is arranged to be engaged by a finger 27 mounted on the adjacent arm 16 and movable therewith. Vhen the apparatus is not in use the circuits for the lamps 35 and 36 may be interrupted through a switch 38 located on the table 2, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

In operation, the proper mask plate 9 is selected to correspond with the size of the negative from which the prints are to be made, and the same inserted in the rabbeted opening 7 of the casing 1, as will be understood. The catch 14 is thereupon unlatched and the clamp 5 raised to permit the negative to be positioned upon the top 4 of the casing, whereupon the clamp 5 is returned to position to confine the negative, in the manner illustrated in Fig. 8. The clip 40 is then actuated by the finger-hold 43 to release the negative and permit the same to be drawn through the cut-away portion 51 in the clamp 5, to position the same directly above the opening 10 in the mask plate 9. Such positioning, as heretofore described, and as will be understood, is facilitated by the guide block 11, and the non-actinic lamp 36 which illuminates the outline of the opening 10 beneath the negative. The sensitized paper is then positioned over the negative, and due to the inclination of the top 4 of the casing, the same will rest against the guide block 11 and against the clip 40 in the angle formed by the two. The treadle 19 may be now depressed to cause the platen 6 to descend and press the sensitized paper into close contact with the negative during the printing operation, the platen 6 being yieldingly mounted through the springs 24 to compensate for any inequalities and to properly=distribute the pressure. 'Upon descent of the platen 6 the finger 27 engages the operating rod28, and oscillates the switch lever 29 to disengage the contact 31 and thereby interrupt the non-actinic lamp circuit 36, and engage the contact 32 and close circuit through the photographic lamps 35. The proper action of the photographic lamps 35 may be assuredby means-of'an inspectionaperture -16 in thetop 4' of the casing 1. After the printing operation has been duly performed, the -treadle19 is released, and the springs 21 thereupon raise the platen 6, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2,

and remove the finger 27 from engagement derstood, and drawing the same forward through the cut-away portion 51 to proper position above the opening 10, in the mask plate 9. As illustrated in the drawings, theopening 10 in the maskplate 9 is not pro duced centrally thereof, but preferably in the lower right-hand corner of the same, so as to better cooperate with the guide block 11 and the clamp 5 to provide a proper margin around the prints for the purpose of obviating the necessity of subsequent trimming.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details of construction and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit of mv invention, and therefore I do not wish to be limited to such features except as may be required by the claims.

I claim: I

1. In a photographic printing machine,

the combination of a frame, a lamp box mounted in said frame and provided with an opening therein,a translucent plate fitted in the opening in said lamp box, a guide block secured upon one longitudinal edge of the opening in said lamp box, and a clamp block removably secured along one side edge of said opening and provided with a recess providing a channel for the passage of the film, substantially as described.

2. In a photographic printing machine, the combination of a frame, a lamp box mounted in said frame and provided with an opening, a translucent plate fitted in said opening, a guide block secured along one edge of said opening, a removable clamp block secured along an adjacent edge of said opening and provided with a recess constituting a channel for the passage of the film, and a clip associated with said clamp block for engaging the film and maintaining the same in position after adjustment, substantially as described.

r 3. In a photographic printing machine, the combination of a frame, a lamp box mounted in said frame and provided withan opening therein, a translucent plate fitted in said opening, an opaque plate associated with said translucent plate and having an opening disposed with its edgesadjacent the edges ofsaid opaque plate, a guide block secured along one edge of the openings in said lamp boxand opaque plate, a removable guide block secured along the adjacent edges ofsaid'openings and provided with a cut-away" portion constituting a channel for the passage ofthe film, and a spring clip' associated with said clamp block and arranged to engage and maintain the film in position over the opening in said opaque plate, substantially as described.

1. In a photographic printing machine, the combination of a frame, a lamp box mounted in said frame and provided with a forwardly inclining top having an opening therein, a translucent plate fitted in said opening, an opaque plate associated with said translucent plate and formed with an eccentric opening having adjacent edges thereof disposed in proximity to the corresponding edges of said translucent plate, a guide block secured along the lower longi- 'tudinal edges of the openings in said lamp box and opaque plate, a clamp block hinged along the adjacent edges of said openings, said clamp block being provided with a cut-away portion for the passage of the film, a spring clip mounted on said clamp block for engaging and maintaining the film in position over the opening in said opaque plate, substantially as described.

5. In a photographic printing machine, the combination of a frame, a lamp box mounted in said frame and constructed at to said lamp box and removably secured one side thereof with a plurality of spaced walls projecting alternately from the opposite longitudinal walls for providing a tight-light tortuous passage for ventilation,

said lamp box being provided with a top having an opening therein, a translucent plate fitted in said opening, and a platen cooperating with said opening and plate, substantially as described. 7 s

6. In a photographic printing machine, the combination of a'frame, a lamp box mounted in said frame and provided with a forwardly inclining top havingan opening therein, a translucent plate fitted in said opening, a platen mounted to swing about a center located to the rear and beneath the plane of said opening, means for actuating said'platen, and a spring pressed face plate movably connected to said platen and adapted to engage over said translucent plate when the platen descends, substantially as described.

4 7. In a photographic printing machine, the combination of a frame, a lamp box mounted in said frame and provided With a forwardly inclining top having an opening therein, said lamp box being constructed at one side thereof with a plurality of spaced walls projecting in opposite directions from the longitudinal walls and providing a light-tight tortuous channel for ventilation, an opaque plate associated with said translucent plate and provided with an eccentric opening therein, a guide block secured along the lower longitudinal edge of the openings in said lamp box and opaque plate, a .clamp block hinged to said lamp box and arranged along the adjacent edges of said openings, said clamp block being 20 provided with 'a cut-away portion for the passage of the film, a clip associated with said clamp block adapted to secure the film in position over the opening in said opaque plate, a platen mounted to swing about a center located to the rear and in a plane beneathsaidopening, means for guiding said platen, and aspring pressed face plate movably secured to said platen and arranged to engage and maintain the negative and film 30 over the photographic opening, substantially .as described.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

ELM mlt E. WOOD. WVitnesses HENRY L. SARI, J12, G. WV; BAUCKER, J r.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington,,D.1G." 

